Career education nothing new in Glendale

A recent federal labor department study identified basic competencies, which students must have in order to be successful in their transition from school to careers or college. The report concluded that good, well-paying jobs require employees who can use basic skills, a creative mind, a disciplined personality and a willing attitude to be a lifelong learner.

Basic skills in reading, writing, arithmetic, as well as speaking and listening are essential foundations. Thinking skills ? which include problem-solving, reasoning and decision-making skills ? are essential. Personal qualities such as self discipline, responsibility, self-esteem, sociability and integrity are very significant.

And while other competencies are desirable, employers are willing to train and work with employees who have the above basic foundations.

The challenge schools and educators have is to convince students that the future looks very bleak for those with unskilled jobs, poor basic skills and a poor or undisciplined attitude. And we must convince them that job satisfaction and high-paying jobs belong to those with a skill and an education. Schools and the business and professional community at large have a major role to play in getting this message to students.

While the federal government and its labor department are just now recognizing the significance of relating school work to careers, the Glendale schools recognized it more than 25 years ago, when it embarked on an ambitious career education program for all secondary students. Under the leadership of former Supt. Burtis Taylor and such dynamic school board members as attorney Sheldon Baker and entrepreneur/ businessman John Hedlund, Glendale initiated a comprehensive career guidance education program.

It is refreshing that long before the Washington experts discovered that students should have basic skills and be able to relate their school work to the real world, Glendale was doing something about it without federal handouts, expert bureaucrats and complex mandates.

Glendale was a leader in the career education movement because we had leaders with common sense, wisdom and the strong belief that relating school to work is good for students and for our community and country.

The Glendale schools were fortunate to have the support of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee and numerous local business and professional people.